Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1887-04-08
THE PROHIBITION AMENDMENT

HE PhOH1B1I1ON AMENDMENT L
Ed. Review: In forming society
ach member necessarily relinquishes
part Of his natural rights for the
ood of the whole community. But it
mistake to think that in the u. s.
overnment has the same authority
ver its subjects, as parent over chill
rem. Our Declaration of Indepen
ence SAYS: "That all men are endowed
fith certain inalienable rights; that
mong these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; that to secure
hese rights, governments are institu
ed among men," Now another right
lot enumerated above, is that Of ac-
luiring, possessing and protecting
A person who has property
acquires with it the right to use it,
provided his use of it is not injuri
Gus to the enjoyment Of others
having an equal right to the en-
joyment of their property. l have
the right to build a house of wood,
except in frelimits of towns, because
then interfere with the equal right
of others having built houses of brick,
to enjoy their property. | may kill
meat on farm but must do butchering
outside Of town, for the other people
have the right to breathe pure air. ]
may use any kind of profane language
but not in public. I may build a
house for myself to suit my fancy, but
if for tenants must provide proper fire
escapes. So certain natural rights are
interfered with but all such interfer-
ence mu st be reasonable. necessary and
effective.
Is the prohibition amendment rea
sonable? s'The manufacture of liquors
j
are prohibited, except for medical, sci
enti6c or mechanical purposes. Re
member that I have natural right tt
manufacture. If / make g hundred
barrels of whiskey or beer, no one i
harmed, if 1 sell the same no harm ye
to any one; if take drink myself
whose rights am I interfering with
1t is only when it is taken in excess
/ that the harm comes in and mostly t
the subject himself, and it. is thel
that the Law should step in and protec
the rights Of others. But prohi say
whiskey is the cause of crime and cite
statistics to prove it; I ask how do yo
know it was whiskey? Because tn
offender was drunk That | hold
the reason you cautch him. The ma
who purposely steals, robs or murder
, knows better than to get drunk i
order to execute his crime, consequent
! ly he escapes detection and conviction
> Again 1 like to see distinction mad
4 in the grade of crime, have all tn
! crimes caused by whiskey in this coul
! ty equalled the single action of
former prohi leader here in the way {
$ monetary losses and general distrus
q What are one hundred convictions
o the crime Of disorderly conduct or "h
) ing drunk" along side of ono embezzl
. ment by a saving bank director? Is
n reasonable to make the selling of liqu
f a crime, and NOT the buying? Is Il
n manufacturer of firearms ever held
!, be criminal, because of the Grim
;, and accidents caused by firearms? B
i granting that adulterated whiskey
.. the cause Of crime. is it reasonable
Il include wine, beer and even cider?
% / offer visitor at my house drink
# currant wine, do become a crimins
W whose rights am I interfering wit
9 The prohi says that they only want
!, close the saloons, but do not want
4 interfere with drinking. Very we
but the amendment does not read {
# why is it not expressed plainly2 Isit
= concealed attempt upon some of o
- personal rights under the cloak
"good Of the people" What is the u
of "giving away liquor" in the amen
ment, is that the way saloons do th'
: business? To be concluded.
~ WIN. THrEL